Ray Charles [US1]

Genre-crossing R&B singer and pianist most popular in the period of 1954 to 1967. Charles was completely blind by age seven, presumably from untreated glaucoma. In the mid-1950s until the early-1960s, Charles wrote a good number of songs, but thereafter he was much more an interpreter of others' works. Charles was arrested three times on drug charges and struggled with heroin addiction, which he was able to kick in 1966.
Charles was much-honored, including, among others, induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class in 1986 and receipt of the National Medal of Arts in 1993. His version of "Georgia on My Mind" became the official song of the State of Georgia in April 1979.